This is the first time the student will be focusing on the structured pattern of the circuit at the aerodrome. So far they've operated in the training area: this lesson brings them back inside the circuit and into close coordination with other traffic.
This transition will need to be a gradual one over the next few lessons, worked out between you the instructor, and the student. The circuit briefings are also broken up into chunks along the CASA syllabus lines.
Part 1 covers the geometry of the circuit, why we use wind direction to choose a runway, and the take-off itself.
Part 2 covers operating in the circuit, the approach, landing, and touch-and-go procedures.
Most students have watched aircraft from the ground, or seen it from a passenger seat. Anchor their existing mental model first. This is a chance to draw out existing knowledge on which we can base the learning.
Key ideas to draw out:
- Predictability — every pilot knows where to look for other aircraft.
- Separation — aircraft are spaced in time and altitude through the pattern.
- Standard energy management — the pattern is designed so a normal aircraft can manage descent and configuration changes inside it.
This is a lead-in to the STOL video.
Approximate timings — about 33 minutes for Part 1, leaving headroom in the 0.8 hr theory window for questions and to bleed into Part 2.
These objectives mirror the CASA long-briefing topics for lesson 6, narrowed to Part 1. Part 2 picks up the in-circuit, approach, and landing objectives.
Click Direct-To to arrive at The Circuit Pattern.
Source: FAA AFH Fig 8-1 (Airport Traffic Patterns).
Heights here are CASA / NZ defaults; emphasise that the actual circuit height is published per aerodrome and must be checked.
Most aerodromes carry no circuit height in their ERSA FAC entry — they rely on the standard default of 1,000 ft AGL. Only aerodromes with a non-standard height publish one explicitly.
The whiteboard "Circuit Introduction" (NZ CAA) is a clean reference for the student.
A local aerodrome diagram is still worth pulling up in the briefing if you have one handy.
Source: CASA VFRG Chapter 3 — Flying your aircraft, p. 248.
The active side is the side of the runway from which the circuit is flown. The non-active side is the opposite side. Aircraft joining from the non-active side must be at or above 1,500 ft AGL (500 ft above the standard 1,000 ft circuit) before crossing to the active side.
Keep this slide brief — the student's first circuits will focus on flying the pattern; the joining procedure is covered in a later lesson.
Click Direct-To to arrive at Wind and Runway Choice.
Emphasise: the *air* doesn't care about runways — speed through the air is what generates lift. A 10 kt headwind means the aircraft is "doing" 10 kt before the wheels move.
PHAK Ch 11 (Aircraft Performance) covers headwind/tailwind effects on take-off distance.
Emphasise: the windsock at the threshold matters more than the windsock across the field — surface wind varies.
Click Direct-To to arrive at Take-off Technique.
Source: FAA AFH Fig 6-1 (Takeoffs and Departure Climbs).
Emphasise: don't pull the aircraft off the ground — wait for it to fly. Forcing rotation early degrades climb performance. The figure shows the natural progression: roll → takeoff attitude → lift-off → climb.
Reference: CASA MOS A2.2 (Take off aeroplane) covers the full performance criteria.
Click Direct-To to arrive at Procedures and Checklists.
Emphasise: in the circuit, every leg has work to do — checks, lookout, radio, configuration, navigation. Checklists are the safety net.
Click Direct-To to arrive at Recap.
Pose these as recall questions before showing the answers on the next slide.
This is the answer key for the recall slide. Walk through quickly.
Open the floor before moving to Part 2 (in-circuit operations, approach, and landing).